Navigating the Economics Major: The Effect of Gender on Students’ Degree Pathways

Abstract

Although nationwide a small percentage of students complete an economics degree, many students who initially select another major switch into economics or add it as a second major. Prior research has found that women are less likely to earn an economics degree and that students may consider degrees in business and economics to be substitutes. The purpose of this study is to assess gender disparities in students’ economics degree attainment based on differences in students’ initial major selections and grades received in their introductory microeconomics course. Findings indicate that both male and female students who initially choose to major in economics have a high probability of graduating with an economics major. Students who complete an economics major or minor come from a large selection of initial majors. Male and female students also are found to respond differently to introductory microeconomics grades.